Australia's Alex Carey's Stunning Ton Helps The Baggy Greens Recover From A Swift England Test Series Onslaught.

After the frenzy of the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's pink-ball spectacle, a more familiar brand regarding red-ball cricket returned on the turf of Adelaide Oval. For the South Australian fans, it was a day to enjoy, as homegrown talent the wicketkeeper-batsman produced an outstanding hundred on his home turf to help Australia edge the opening day.

Not that The touring English side, 2-0 down and still fighting in the contest, could be too disappointed. Ben Stokes lost out on what appeared an ominous coin toss and, despite being not at their best, the English attack kept persevering under scorching heat. By the close of play, the Australians had reached 326-8 off 83 overs – a total on the board but surely short of initial expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning.

Jofra Archer Leads The Tourist's Resistance.

The most impressive performer among the tourists proved to be Jofra Archer. Returning figures of three for 29 from his 16 overs were a strong answer to some of scrutiny directed at him his way. Here he clearly led the bowling unit, averaging 88mph (142kph) with the speed gun while providing Stokes both control and clear threat. It was only towards the end of play – one over using the fresh cherry – did he look a bit weary.

Having bounced out opener Jake Weatherald early on, Archer's initial over post-lunch accounted for Marnus Labuschagne followed by Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's duck served as a reminder of how cricket can bring a player back to reality, his tepid chip to mid-wicket arriving less than 24 hours following trousering a massive multi-million dollar deal for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Carey's Priceless Contribution Rescues The Ship.

Alex Carey's performance, in contrast, was simply priceless, peaking around 4.48pm when he drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd rose in a huge roar. Coming off his masterful display with the gloves in Brisbane, his aggressive 106 from 143 deliveries ensured that a mid-innings stumble of 94 for four did not become a full-blown crisis. The 34-year-old is a serious Test match player nowadays.

Australia did leave a few runs on the field, however. Absent was that excessive bounce of the opening matches replaced by just a hint of nibble if the right area was located.

The pitch also offered a bit of turn to off-spinner Will Jacks, although his control was typical of a part-time spinner – resulting in expensive figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to turn sharply will give hope to Nathan Lyon.

Solemn Context with A Late Switch.

This was inevitably an emotional day for the host nation, arriving so soon after the horrific tragic incident in Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, broken only by folk singer a rendition delivering a stirring rendition of the anthem True Blue.

Earlier, the hosts were also compelled to make an alteration from their stated XI. Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness along with nausea first thing – an apparent return of the vertigo that has intermittently affected him ever since he was struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s years back.

His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after many felt his international career may be finished. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had held the innings together, walking out with the score on 33/2 and finessing 82 from 126 balls a day out from turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey were significant.

The Tourist's Mixed Bag Persists.

Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the sapping conditions, this was still another frustrating day from the English bowling attack. Seamer Brydon Carse rather rolled over his form of the series, picking up figures of 2/70 from his 13 overs, and the recalled Josh Tongue picked up 1/63 from 15 overs.

Carse looked erratic when handed sharing the new ball first thing, no-balling on five occasions but still dismissing Travis Head for 10 thanks to a sublime one-handed catch from Zak Crawley at cover. It rather encapsulated the day for both sides: moments of brilliance mixed with periods of error-prone cricket.